The Punjab Assembly’s Privilege Committee has referred the case of Kasur District Police Officer (DPO) Aftab Phularwan to the Assembly’s Judicial Committee, which will now decide his fate over allegations of involvement in a vilification campaign against Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan.
Privilege Committee Hearing
The DPO appeared before the Privilege Committee on Monday, but according to committee members, he failed to satisfactorily respond to allegations that he had been involved in a campaign to malign the Speaker. The referral came after Aftab Phularwan had earlier appeared before the Assembly’s Committee on Law Reforms, where his explanation was also found to be unsatisfactory.
Following deliberations, the Privilege Committee decided to refer the case to the Judicial Committee, which is empowered under the Assembly’s rules to examine the matter further and recommend or impose action commensurate with the nature and gravity of the offence, if any is established.
Law Reforms Committee Meeting
Earlier, the Law Reforms and Legislation Committee on Sunday held an important meeting to review the deteriorating law and order situation in Kasur district. Senior police officials appeared before lawmakers to explain the force’s performance amid rising crime concerns.
The meeting was attended by Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sheikhupura, and Kasur District Police Officer (DPO) Aftab Phularwan. Committee members discussed the overall law and order situation in the Sheikhupura Region, with particular focus on Kasur district, where increasing incidents of crime and public safety concerns came under scrutiny.
DPO’s Unsatisfactory Responses
The committee members claim that DPO Aftab Phularwan failed to provide satisfactory answers to a number of questions raised by members regarding policing and crime control in the district. The committee also alleged that the DPO attempted to withhold facts relating to the prevailing law and order situation.
The meeting had also examined a social media campaign allegedly conducted by the DPO’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) against Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan. During the proceedings, the DPO stated he was unaware of the campaign carried out by his PRO. However, he acknowledged that no disciplinary action had been taken against the official over the matter.
Character Assassination Allegations
Committee members expressed dissatisfaction with the DPO’s response, saying he had failed to demonstrate his disassociation from what they described as a sustained character-assassination campaign against the Speaker. They maintained that the episode had undermined the dignity and privileges of both the Speaker and the committee.
Meanwhile, the opposition alliance has alleged that police stopped leaders from travelling to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), adding to the political tensions.
